Interpretive Services Coordinator (ISC)

Company Overview:

Cooperative Health has been serving the Midlands area since 1981. We are South Carolina’s largest and most cost-effective community health center system and we are hiring! We are looking for people who are passionate about providing accessible, high quality, compassionate healthcare in the Spirit of the Good Samaritan.

Position Summary:

The role of the Interpretive Services Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring adequate and appropriate interpretation (Spanish) services for all patients and their families receiving services at the Cooperative. Acts as a cultural consultant to staff and as advocate for non-English speaking patients/families. Assesses and monitor the patient’s understandings of the information conveyed and keeps physicians/staff informed as to the level of that understanding. The Coordinator will also provide ongoing training and testing for employees who are designated as medical interpreters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge/Accountabilities:

• Must possess high verbal and written skills in both English and target language (Spanish).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Demonstrated problem solving skills in a complex environment
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal relationship and customer service skills
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Strong knowledge in medical terminology.
• Ability to adjust communications to fit the needs and level of understanding of the receiver
• Strong computer skills with proficiencies in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, internet-based applications and the Microsoft operating system

Education & Experience:

Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in a work-related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience; or Master’s degree interpretation/translation and/or Spanish. Certification for Medical/Healthcare Interpreters preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Moderate physical activity. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds or greater.
• Be able to sit, stand, stoop, squat for extended periods of time throughout the day. Excessive Standing and/or walking for extended periods of time throughout the day. Must be able to withstand long periods viewing a computer screen.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures that the medical interpretive staff orients and educates patients and their families by meeting them; explaining the role of the medical interpreter.
• Performs medial interpretation/translation for patients and their families, including in-group settings such as family conferences.
• Makes notations in the patient’s chart indicating the origin of the request for interpretation or translation, the nature of the service provided (such as interpreting treatment orders, pharmacy instructions) and an assessment of the patient’s understanding and level of acceptance of the information. Ensures the above occurs accurately and consistently with all staff under the direction of the ISC.
• Translates correspondence, medical histories, medical consent forms, medical procedures and instructions, legal documents, manuals, brochures, and other pertinent documents as necessary.
• Assesses patient’s/family’s comprehension of “informed consent” as needed. Advises physician/patient care staff of any need for clarification.
• Ensures access to community resources for non-English speaking patients and their families.
• Testing of bilingual personnel to establish baseline for knowledge.
• Interview candidates for interpretive services. Make recommendations for hiring, termination of employment with supervisor/HR dept. as necessary.
• Training of bilingual personnel to ensure quality and consistency of interpretation to patients.
• Schedule team of medical interpreters to ensure coverage of all ECCHC clinical locations.
• Develop programs for expanding and enhancing Spanish language skills of non-Spanish speaking employees.
• Conducts in-services, new hire orientations and consultations relating to medical interpretation/translation, health cultural practice or pertinent issues with medical and healthcare staff, as appropriate.
• Trains cooperative staff in protocols for accessing Interpreting Services. Participates in ongoing program development to ensure accuracy in interpretative services protocols.
• Conduct monthly meetings with interpretive services to ensure department meets goals.
• Assist in company-wide training during new hire orientation.
• Develop team members with on-going training and education.
• Fill in as needed at any of the ECCHC locations for interpretive services.
• Review team member’s timesheets and mileage logs.
• Works with management to ensure ADA and national interpreter standards are met and complied with.
• Monitor trends and implements strategies to assist patients with accessing appropriate levels of care.
• Engages patient and family to adhere to health care strategies aimed at improving quality of life through education, empowerment and access to appropriate health care services.
• Ability to handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Maintains a database of services provided in order to ensure that the invoice for services provided are accurate and current. Works with management to solicit for additional services/staff as needed; that may enhance the overall performance of the IS department.
• Ability to work well with all individuals at all levels of the organization
• Perform other duties as assigned.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Statement

Cooperative Health falls under Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines related to COVID-19 Vaccinations which will require employees to be fully vaccinated

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work.

Cooperative Health provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Cooperative Health complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.